Player Profile: Jake Buchanan
And as a win-first player, a leader, and a scorer, Jake Buchanan separated himself from a saturated guard class in a way that’ll spill lots of ink.
“Over time I’ve learned that the only success that matters it team success,” said the junior guard, “As a leader, my goal is to portray that philosophy on and off the court so that my entire team has that mentality.” And that method of leadership has worked, really somewhat spectacularly.
In his past two seasons with Kimberly, Buchanan has amassed a 43-8 record both as a key player and a star. During that span, he’s also won four playoff games (two each year).
While his leadership is an all-important factor for Kimberly, his scoring has taken them to the top in all levels. He averaged 17.3 points per game last season, both with a deadly three-point shot and elite finishing skills (each of those last two things are, according to him, some of his strengths). That said, Buchanan aims to ramp that up even after an impressive junior season. When asking him about improvements, he said that “my focus is to improve on my quickness and strength as well as getting my shot off quicker with a higher release in order to prepare me for the next level.”
Along with the obviously elite skills we see from him on the court, Buchanan has already planted his foot in the recruiting world. He’s garnered offers and made headway with multiple programs, but he’s continuing to explore his options. “I currently have two NCAA Division Two offers from Michigan Tech and Saint Leo,” Buchanan told me, “A number of other schools have expressed interest and will see how I play this AAU season.”
He has also accepted an invitation to run with Ray Allen Select this summer.
My overall outlook on Buchanan is that he’s a prized prospect who is a proven winner. He’s gifted as a scorer and passer and will be a player to keep an eye on this AAU season and next year at Kimberly.